The under-construction Upper Trishuli–1 Hydropower Project, with an installed capacity of 216 megawatts in Rasuwa district, has launched a skill-oriented training program with the objective of creating livelihood opportunities for members of households affected by the project by promoting self-employment, employment, and skill enhancement.

In the first phase, training has begun for 40 project-affected individuals from villages including Ramche and Kalikasthan in Rasuwa. The training program, implemented by the project promoter Nepal Water and Energy Development Company Pvt. Ltd. in coordination with Kalika Rural Municipality, was formally inaugurated on Tuesday at the Ward No. 1 office.

Based on the needs, demands, and potential of project-affected households, 20 participants have started caregiver training and another 20 have begun hotel operation–related training. In the coming phases, the training programs will be gradually expanded to other wards of the affected municipalities. Overall, the program aims to provide skill-oriented training to around 370 individuals from project-affected communities.

At the inauguration ceremony, the Chairperson of Ward No. 1 of Kalika Rural Municipality, Mr. Dawa Tamang, stated that demand-based training conducted at the ward level has made local participation easier. He emphasized that such programs make a significant contribution to the development of skilled human resources at the local level and urged participants to actively engage throughout the training period and apply the acquired skills in practice.

Speaking at the program, the Chief Operating Officer of Nepal Water and Energy Development Company Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Sanghee Male, stated that the company is committed to strengthening the social and economic conditions of project-affected households through skill-oriented training.

He further informed that under the project’s community support programs, the company has provided ambulances to project-affected rural municipalities and has been continuously supporting areas such as education, health, drinking water, road infrastructure, cultural preservation, relief distribution, livelihoods, and income generation enhancement under its institutional social responsibility and Indigenous Peoples Development Program.

Based on a demand-based assessment conducted in 2018, various training programs to be implemented in the affected areas were identified. These training programs have since been refined based on updated household surveys, rapid market assessments, and local demand analysis.

Trainings such as early childhood development facilitator, mason, waiter, bakery, cook, tailoring, beauty parlor, and housekeeping have been selected in line with community interest and current market needs. These programs are focused on employment, self-employment, and income generation.

In accordance with the Project Development Agreement (PDA) signed between the Government and the company, the project has formulated an employment and skill development training plan and has been implementing programs accordingly in the project-affected areas.

Under the leadership of Korean companies through foreign direct investment, construction of the dam and related structures is underway in Ama Chhodingmo Rural Municipality–1, Haku area of Rasuwa, while underground powerhouse and related structures are under construction in Uttargaya Rural Municipality–1. The electricity generated will be used for domestic consumption. Upper Trishuli–1 is the largest hydropower project under construction in Nepal through foreign direct investment.

The main construction works of the project began in Poush 2078 (December 2021). Currently, construction of the underground powerhouse, main tunnel, dam, and all related structures is progressing rapidly. The overall physical progress of the project has reached 74 percent, and the construction is targeted to be completed by Mangsir 2083 (November/December 2026).